Who, Where and What We Are?

The Maui RDP region manages projects located on the island of Maui, and additionally, provides guidance to the outer tri-isle offices located at Lana’i and Moloka’i Education Centers.  We are located in the Multi-Purpose BLDG 215 on Maui Community College campus and share our office with statewide Hawai'i Rural Development Project personnel. RDP is a program under The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i (RCUH), a state agency.

We support long term sustainable community based projects that provide timely and effective employment training, inspire life-long learning, facilitate economic sustainability, and improve the quality of life for the rural  communities on Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i.

Our current staff are Daniel "Dan" Regan, Maui County Island Director who was recently promoted as RDP Statewide Director, and Lori "Wai'apo" Okamoto, who was recently promoted to oversee the tri-isles as the new Maui Lana'i Moloka'i Program Administrative Associate.

    Mission Statement

In partnership with the University of Hawai’i and the U.S. Department of Labor, Maui RDP strengthens the tri-isle rural communities of Maui, Lana’i, and Moloka’i with innovative educational workforce development programs.

    Funding

Hawai’i Rural Development Project first began in 1997 on the island of Lana’i through a federal grant program initiated by State of Hawai'i Senator Daniel K. Inouye.  The program supports innovative educational skills training and development of the workforce including the equipment and supplies needed to improve the socioeconomic rural areas in Hawai'i. The grant, and subsequent grants, were written by Dr. Clyde Sakamoto, Chancellor at Maui Community College and Principal Investigator of Hawai’i Rural Development Project.  Federal funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Labor and managed by Hawai’i Rural Development Project – we have supported projects on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and the Big Island.